Tag: home renovation

MAKING A SWEET BEDROOM SUITE

A Leading Edge Homes, Inc. suite addition makes your home even sweeter.

Adding a bedroom suite to your home can serve many different purposes. A “mother-in-law suite,” as it is often called, is a perfect living situation for your loved one that wants to keep their privacy and still remain independent. Or perhaps you love your home, but your family has grown and you need another bedroom – just don’t add a room, create an oasis for yourself!

Generally, adding a suite will increase your property value. Future buyers see the added appeal of the addition that can be used as an office, a guest house/room, a temporary living area for a young married child or a returning college graduate, or as an alternative to an assisted living facility for an aging relative.

Before you add on, there are things to consider:

LIMITATIONS

Your addition can include almost anything – including the kitchen sink! But, most municipalities in Florida do not allow you to add an oven or stove, because that will take your home from a “single family” designation to a “multiple family” designation – a violation in most areas. Bedroom(s), bathroom(s), sitting area(s), a utility room, or a kitchenette are fine. Your kitchenette can have a sink (or wet bar), cabinets, and even a refrigerator.

IF YOU HAVE A SEPTIC SYSTEM

In Palm Beach County, there are many rules you don’t often think about that may apply to your addition if you have a septic system. The size of your septic tank and the size of its drain field may limit the size of your addition – if you are adding a bedroom or a lot more living space. But don’t worry, you can always increase the size of the drain field or add another septic tank in series if your existing one isn’t large enough to accommodate the addition.

LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION

There are many questions that you have to answer:

Do you want to build out or build up?

Building up is generally more expensive because you will need have scaffolding, stairs, etc. Additionally, if the space is for an elderly relative, you need to think about how they will get upstairs in the event they no longer can climb stairs.

How will you gain access to the addition?

Is there a hallway you can use or an exterior door? It is best to have an experienced contractor, such as Leading Edge Homes, Inc., advise you on the best way to modify your current home to gain access into the addition. And yes, you can break through an existing exterior wall to make an opening into the addition – even a load bearing one.

What is the maximum space that can be utilized for the addition?

Municipalities vary on the front, side and rear set back requirements. This may limit the size and footprint that you can use to add onto your home.

DESIGN WITH A PURPOSE

What is the purpose of the addition? Think about who will be using the area. I recommend planning for the future including designing with wider doors and hallways in case the occupants need to use a walker or wheel chair. Grab bars and no-curb showers are also something to consider – or at least have backing in the walls in the event you need to add grab bars in the future.

Whether you are adding space for yourself or a family member, the design phase is the most important! Think about what you want, what special requirements you want, and how the area will be utilized. Work with an experienced roomologist (contractor experienced in room additions) to design and build your addition. If you can imagine it, we can design it.

TRUE CONFESSIONS OF A REMODELING CONTRACTOR: MAKING A HOMEOWNER CRY

Nothing is worse than having to tell a homeowner they have been scammed.

MAKING A HOMEOWNER CRY

This has been one of the toughest month’s for me as a home remodeling contractor.

Two of the potential clients that I visited with were brought to tears and another one was strong enough to hold back the tears but realized they threw away money.

WHAT WENT WRONG

The first of my heart breaking experiences happened in Palm Beach Gardens. A woman, had a leak, which unfortunately led to mold.

But… the people she hired to “fix it” removed anything and everything that they could, down to the metal studs that were part of her exterior walls.

There is no easy fix to put her home back together, especially because it is part of a quadruplex. The homeowners association won’t let her rip down what is remaining from the exterior walls and now they are in danger of collapsing, her insurance company is denying the claim, and the “friends” that helped her weren’t licensed.

The only remedy she has is to hire a public adjuster to help her navigate the insurance company process and to hire a construction attorney to help her recoup her costs from the work that was done improperly. Until she gets the homeowners association to grant her permission to fix the exterior walls, she is in limbo.

The next of my heart breaking experiences happened in Wellington where work was done without a permit and the second contractor is no where to be found.

A homeowner needed work done on his home. The “contractor” who only could work weekends was caught doing work on the home without a permit. The Village of Wellington issued a stop work order, fined the homeowner, and had the electric meter pulled from the house as a safety precaution.

The homeowner, after paying fines, hired another contractor. But, this contractor is now missing in action. I advised the homeowner that I could not do any work on the home unless the permit was closed. Like the previous homeowner, this job will remain in limbo until the legal ramifications are solved.

The last my heart breaking experiences this week also happened in Wellington.

A homeowner wanted to remodel their kitchen and have an addition put on their home. They hired a draftsman to draw up the plans. The plans did not reflect what the homeowner wanted! The plans were what the designer wanted to draw.

As a design-build contractor I have seen this time and time again. Some draftsmen or architects don’t understand the big picture and don’t understand how things are tied together. The homeowner, throughout our meeting, kept saying “but that is what I wanted.”

It is very frustrating to me that homeowners waste money on plans that won’t work. It is not that every designer/draftsman does a poor job… but I have seen it way too many times that plans are not usable because they are incomplete, don’t meet the homeowner requirements, or they are drawn incorrectly.

BEFORE YOU CHOOSE TO DO A REMODEL

Think about how your change will effect the look of your home. Realize that the newer things may alter how the rest of your home looks. That doesn’t mean you don’t make changes. But… think about how your changes can affect your vision of your home.

If you are changing the floors, do you want to change the doors, their thresholds, the moldings? If you are adding additional cabinets, how are you going to tie the cabinets together? Will you need to resurface the old cabinets, change out all of the hardware, or replace everything?

Making all the cabinet pulls the same may not be so easy. How the new handles get installed may not cover old holes. The old hardware may not easily be removed.

When you do choose to remodel, look for someone with good listening skills who shares your vision for what your home should look like. Feel free to ask for references. Then, before you sign on the dotted line, check with your state to ensure your architect or custom builder is licensed in his or her field.

HOME REMODELING SHOULDN’T BE SCARY – AND NEITHER SHOULD BUYING A HOME

Don’t get tricked when starting a home improvement project or buying a new home.

Yesterday I told you about the client who called Leading Edge Homes, Inc. to install a tub and we discovered that other work had been done in the bathroom without a permit. The good news is – the problems can be corrected. The bad news is – it will be costly.

This reminds me of a home inspection I did last weekend. Yes, Leading Edge Homes, Inc. also does home inspections – and we do more than check to see if appliances work.

Signs That Work Was Done Without a Permit

Illegal Addition:

The floor in a room is not at the same level as the main house.

A sliding glass door leads to an interior room.

Illegal Bathroom Remodel:

There isn’t a minimum of 15 inches from the center of the toilet to the wall, tub, or cabinet.

Illegal Kitchen Remodel:

If it’s obvious that new cabinets were installed, but the electric was not brought up to date.

How do you know? The receptacles need to be GFI protected, on a 20 amp circuit, and spaced no more than 4 feet on center.

If there is a counter top with more than six inches of overhang, there must be an electric receptacle underneath it.

If you want a professional remodeling experience or a home inspection with a home remodeling expert view, contact your local design-build contractor, Leading Edge Homes. Inc.

Ten Things to Look Out For When Remodeling

#1 – Lead based paint.

If your house was built prior to 1978, it may have lead based paint. If your project involves disturbing more than 3 square feet of wall (interior or exterior), you MUST test for the presence of lead based paint or risk being severely fined by the EPA. Paint chips are especially hazardous to toddler who may touch the chips and put their hands in their mouths ingesting the poison.

#2 – Asbestos floor tile.

Typically 9″x9″ up to 12″x12″. Even the glues used may contain asbestos. The danger occurs when the flooring crumbles and dust is scattered into the air and inhaled. This stuff could kill you with a long painful death. Have the flooring tested by a professional and if it must be removed, hire a professional remediation contractor.

#3 – Contractors who say no permit is needed.

Other than painting and floorcovering, a permit is typically required for all projects. Don’t get caught and have to pay a fine. When in doubt, call your local building department and ask. Inspections are for life safety purposes and protect you and future owners of your house. Failing to obtain a permit can even stop the sale of your house if discovered.

#4 – Water damage.

What seems like an innocent brown stain on the ceiling could be the sign of a roof leak, water supply pipe leak, or an air leak around an A/C register. Don’t disregard this important message from your house. Investigate the source and make the necessary repairs to avoid major repairs in the future. Also, if mold has formed, don’t disturb the surface or you can send mold spores throughout your house. Call a mold remediation contractor to avoid respiratory problems.

#5 – Termites.

If you see mud trails going from the ground up to the floor level of your house, you may have termites. If you see little wings or droppings along baseboards, you might have termites. Call a pest control professional before the termites eat up so much of your house that you need structural repairs.

#6 – Property headaches.

Before installing a fence, get an updated survey of your property and have the corners marked. This will avoid issues with the fence encroaching on your neighbor’s property. Before doing a room addition, contact the local zoning department and ask what your setbacks are to avoid submitting plans for a room addition that puts the building too close to your property lines.

#7 – Bank problems.

Make sure your bank financing is approved and funded before giving a contractor a deposit on a job. It would really ruin your day if the financing is not approved, your contractor has already demolished part of your house, and you can’t afford to finish the project.

#8 – Plan.

Don’t draw up plans that don’t provide sufficient detail. If you think that you will fill in the details later, you may be in for some very expensive surprises. Sub-contractors will charge for what you have left out and you may not have enough money to finish your project. Remember, if you fail to plan, you plan to fail.

#9 – Cracks.

Both vertical and horizontal cracks in a block wall can spell trouble. There may be uncompacted soil under the foundation or insufficient support of a tie beam. Consult with a structural engineer to determine the source.

#10 – Illegal wiring.

Many homeowners think they know how to perform electrical repairs. Although the light or receptacle may work, the repair may be a fire waiting to happen. If you open up a wall and find spliced wires that are not inside an electrical box, call a licensed electrician.

Leading Edge Homes, Inc. is a Florida certified building contractor specializing in improving your lifestyle through room additions, bathroom renovations, kitchen updates, hurricane-resistant screen enclosures, and more! In business since 1991, they demolish your stress by building your trust. Contact them at 561-795-2551 orvisit their website todiscover how they can help you with your next home remodeling project in Palm Beach County.

Will We Be Able To Stay In Our House While The Addition Or Remodel Is Being Built?

Before hiring any home improvement contractor, think about the answer you get to this question. While every room addition is different, I have never needed the homeowners to move out during construction of their project. Sure, if the entire interior had to be redesigned for wheelchair access or a second floor is to be built over existing living area, you will probably have to move out.

Like All Home Improvement Projects, A Room Addition May Cause Some Inconveniences

There may, however, be inconveniences like the following:

If existing bedrooms are being expanded into the addition, the occupants may need to move their furniture to another part of the house and sleep in the family room or bunk-in with someone else once the existing separation wall must be removed

If the garage is being converted into living space, the car(s) may need to be kept outside and a new place found for all your stuff.

If the HVAC system has to be relocated or the ductwork added to, there may be a period of time when you have no air conditioning.

If your outdoor shed has to be demolished and it currently houses your water heater, washer, and dryer, you may be without hot water and/or laundry facilities for a while.

With Proper Planning You Home Remodeling Experience will be Stress Free

And… ultimately the project will be completed and after a few weeks of enjoying your new space, any inconveniences will soon be forgotten.

Questions?

If you have questions about adding on to your home or questions about any home improvement or remodeling project, please call me at 561-795-2551 or email me at: todd@leadingedgehomes.com and I’ll be happy to share my knowledge with you.

Leading Edge Homes, Inc. is a Florida certified building contractor specializing in improving your lifestyle through room additions, bathroom renovations, kitchen updates, hurricane-resistant screen enclosures, and more! In business since 1991, they demolish your stress by building your trust. Contact them at 561-795-2551 orvisit their website todiscover how they can help you with your next home remodeling project in Palm Beach County.

Your bathroom is one of the most heavily trafficked places in your home.

Bathrooms need updates and maintenance because the constant use and moisture may contribute to the breakdown of the major components over time. Your family’s changing needs may also require an update including taller or shorter counters, handicapped accessibility or other modifications; or you may want to get a fresh start by revising a layout, remodeling to add storage, or replacing fixtures.

Before you remodel or do a bathroom update there are many things to consider:

If you are considering a bathroom update or adding a new bathroom and have questions, you can contact Leading Edge Homes, Inc. through their website, complete the comment section of this post, or call 561-795-2551.

Leading Edge Homes, Inc. is a Florida certified building contractor specializing in improving your lifestyle through room additions, bathroom renovations, kitchen updates, and hurricane-resistant screen enclosures. In business since 1991, the most important thing they demolish is your stress and build is your trust. Contact them at 561-795-2551 orvisit their website todiscover how they can help you with your next home remodeling project in Palm Beach County.

According to the 2015 Remodeling Magazine Cost VS Value Report for the entire South Atlantic region of the United States, replacing your front door, adding manufactured stone veneer to your house exterior, and replacing your garage door will give you the highest return on your investment in your home.

A kitchen renovations may help you sell your home quicker.

Although these home improvement investments give you the most return when you sell your home, other interior remodeling projects may be more beneficial. There are two projects that may stand between selling your house quickly and at a higher price, and having the house sit on the market unsold. Those two projects are a kitchen remodel and a master bathroom remodel.

The kitchen is the heart of the home and the master bathroom is especially important to women as a sanctuary. If either, or both, are tired looking, old, and unappealing, you have a problem on your hands. Even though a major kitchen remodel will provide only a 67.4% and a bath remodel will provide only a 72.7% return on investment, they may need to be performed for a relatively prompt and profitable sale. Seek the advice of a professional Realtor.

A Look at the Top 3 Home Improvement Investments

1. Replace Your Front Door

This might seem like a fairly minor home improvement, but, replacing your front door has been shown time and time again to bring an amazing return. A new steel door averaged a 112% return. When looking at cost versus value, a new door is the top of the list.

Why?

Put yourself in the shoes of a potential buyer. You pull up to a house you are interested in and you see the landscape, the trees, and the shrubs are not in the best of condition, but they’re fixable. Then you walk up to the front door and it is old looking, worn, and has splintered wood. You are about to literally walk through the door to your future… do you want it to look old and decrepit?

Now, picture a new, steel door with a fresh coat of paint. It looks strong and safe. This puts the buyer in a positive state of mind before they even step foot in your home.

A replacement steel door averages a 112% return on investment – by far the highest return.

2. Manufactured Stone Veneer

This is the first year projects involving manufactured stone veneer have been included in the report. The cost and value estimates are based on a project that calls for installing 300 square feet of manufactured stone veneer on the bottom third of a house.

The appeal of this project is in making a good first impression and giving the house an upscale look. That’s why this project averaged a 93% return on investment.

3. Garage Door Replacement

Just like with the front door, replacement of the garage overhead door with an embossed, steel one offers a good return on investment at an average 91.6%. This is for all the same reasons as the front door but on a larger scale due to its larger impact on curb appeal. This is especially true for a front loading garage.

Leading Edge Homes, Inc. is a Florida state certified general contracting company specializing in room additions, bathroom renovation, kitchen updates, and hurricane-resistant screen enclosures. In business, since 1991, the most important thing they build is your trust. Contact them at 561-795-2551 orvisit their websitefor more information about how they can help you with your next Palm Beach County home remodeling project.

There is still more that you need to do, before you sign a contract for your bathroom remodel, room addition, kitchen renovation, building your hurricane-resistant screen enclosure, or any other home improvement project.

Verify A Contractor’s License

For a Florida state-licensed general contractor, visit the Florida Department of Regulation website. In Palm Beach County you can verify a contractor’s license here. Make sure the contractor is licensed to do the type of work you want.

Check for Complaints

Use the internet wisely and search to see if there are any complaints about the contractor. There are many sites, including the Florida Department of Regulation and the Better Business Bureau that lists complaints against a company.

It will show you why it is important to do your due diligence before you hire a contractor.

Leading Edge Homes, Inc. is a Florida state certified general contracting company specializing in room additions, bathroom renovation, kitchen updates, and hurricane-resistant screen enclosures. The most important thing they build is your trust. Contact them at 561-795-2551 orvisit their websitefor more information about how they can help you with your next Palm Beach County home remodeling project.

When planning to do a home remodel, bathroom renovation, kitchen update, a home room addition, it is important that your home improvement contractor is experienced at home remodeling – not just building new homes.

Home remodeling and room additions require experienced home improvement specialists like Leading Edge Homes, Inc.

Different Skill Set Required for Remodeling

Changing an existing space requires a different skill set, and sometimes different tools, than creating a new space where none has existed before. A home remodeling expert is typically not surprised by less than perfect existing conditions, mistakes made by previous owners or contractors, or other obstacles. They expect it and know how to deal with it. This is a talent a builder does not have to acquire.

Builders do not work with homeowners in their home on a daily basis. Home remodeling specialists are used to performing their work while homeowners go about their life around them. When homeowners become anxious about seeing a portion of their home get destroyed, remodelers know how to counsel them through the process and confirm to them that the end result will be worth the temporary stress. More importantly, remodelers know how to handle the inevitable surprises that occur once demolition begins and assure the homeowner that they will be handled properly.

Protecting the Home

Builders do not need to be concerned about dust and protecting existing surfaces that are not planned on being replaced. Remodelers know how to erect temporary plastic walls and are familiar with the use of various specialty products used to protect floors, tubs, trim, countertops, etc. A good remodeler will also keep the work and exterior staging areas clean and neat.

Home remodeling is a totally different world than new home construction. Choose the leader of your project wisely to avoid costly mistakes.

Remodeling Has A Different Cost Structure

A builder’s price may not be his final price. Builders are typically not familiar with the extra costs involved in remodeling, like sub-contractors’ minimum charges, price per item for small quantities, or premiums charged for using a crew for a partial day to name a few. You may find yourself being presented with numerous change orders and additional work authorizations due to the builder’s inexperience.
Many builders have gotten into remodeling work because new home construction is slow. After they lose money on a couple of remodeling jobs due to their being unfamiliar with the cost differences inherent in remodeling work, they may not be in business to honor warranties. If they do survive, they will go back to new home construction when business picks up and you will be a very low priority if they even respond to your warranty work request.

Remember….

Selecting a remodeling company isn’t like buying a dining room set. You can’t simply compare prices and choose the one that requires the lowest investment. Due to varying skill levels and range of professionalism within the remodeling industry, there is no way to compare apples to apples. Home remodeling is probably as far from commodity buying as you can get.

Remodeling your home is more like buying an unfinished piece of art. Your home is the sculpture or painting where the work has already begun. Your remodeling contractor is the artist who uses his skills and creativity to finish the work to make your home into a masterpiece that transforms your home and builds comfort into your life.

For more information about Leading Edge Homes, Inc., your home improvement and home remodeling specialist, please visit their website.